Hang Seng Closes 0.5% Higher in Holiday-Shortened Trading

The Hang Seng slid 292 points, or 1.1%, to close at 26,413 on Friday, retreating from the prior session’s strength as tech and consumer stocks slumped. Risk sentiment weakened after Wall Street Thursday was pressured by renewed concerns over private credit and escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, with President Trump saying he will decide within 10 days whether to strike Iran. The tech index dropped nearly 3% as traders positioned ahead of Nvidia’s earnings next week. Simultaneously, consumer shares fell sharply despite signs of strong travel demand during China’s Spring Festival. Still, property stocks edged higher on hopes that Beijing will roll out post-holiday support measures, ahead of a top legislature meeting in early March. Meanwhile, mainland markets will reopen on Tuesday. Major laggards included Xiaomi Corp. (-3.5%), SMIC (-2.7%), Techtronic Industries (-2.5%), and Tencent (-2.0%). For the week, the Hang Seng lost 0.6%, after a muted performance in the previous period.

Hong Kong stocks dipped 233 points, or 0.9%, to 26,469 in early Friday trade, reversing gains from the prior session as markets reopened after the Lunar New Year break. Sentiment was dampened with mainland exchanges closed all week, while global risk appetite weakened amid a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and a sharp selloff in private equity stocks that rattled Wall Street overnight. Locally, investors anticipated the release of January’s jobless rate later today, following three straight periods at 3.8%. Still, losses were capped by optimism about solid travel demand and spending in China during the Spring Festival. Tech and consumer names led declines in the Hang Seng index, offset partly by strength in property and financials. Major laggards included Pop Mart Intl. (-3.3%), Xiaomi (-3.2%), Kuaishou Tech (-3.0%), and Tencent (-2.3%). For the week, markets are on track for a drop, down around 0.6% so far, following a subdued performance in the prior period.

The Hang Seng gained 139 points, or 0.5%, to finish at 26,706 on Monday, swinging from two days of losses as all sectors advanced. Trading was thin ahead of the Spring Festival break, but market participants took fresh positions on signs of easing Sino-U.S. tensions after Washington delayed key tech security measures ahead of an April meeting between President Trump and President Xi. Expectations also grew that weak January CPI and ongoing producer deflation in China will spur Beijing to unveil post-holiday support measures. Hong Kong markets will be shut from Tuesday and reopen on Friday, while mainland bourses are already on a week-long break. U.S. markets are also closed today for a holiday. Leading gainers included China Hongqiao Group (3.9%), Techtronic Industries (3.5%), AIA Group (2.6%), Nongfu Spring (1.9%), and Pop Mart Intl. (1.5%).